On Monday, two Turkish F-16s shot down a Russian plane which Turkey said had crossed into its airspace. Various interpretations could in theory be placed upon this event. Depending on one’s point of view, it could be described as an act of self-defense on the part of Turkey, a NATO member — or an act of aggression. But to Vladimir Putin, and to his claque in the Russian media, only one question matters: To which of his narratives should it belong? Read full article >>

Turkey has no reason to target Russia – a country with whom it has strong relations – Turkish President Erdoğan said Nov. 26, two days after Turkish jets shot down a Russian military plane near the Syrian border

Ankara has delivered an incendiary message to Moscow, and while there may be too much at stake for the conflict to spill out of control it also won’t go away

Even if Turkey is right that a Russian fighter jet strayed into its airspace, the plane was within Ankara’s borders for just 17 seconds before being attacked – and was making no hostile moves against the Turks.

While the surviving pilot of a Russian fighter jet shot down over Turkey on Monday said he received no notice that the jet had entered Turkish air space, Turkish media circulated audio of what the country’s military said was a warning message that was broadcast to the jet.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered Moscow to draw up measures including freezing some joint investment projects with Turkey, in retaliation for the Nov. 24 downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey